CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (AP) -- Despite needing only a ninth-place finish to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team, Jeff Maggert withdrew from next week's PGA Championship on Thursday because his wife is close to having twins.
Maggert, who has qualified for all but three majors since 1992, expected to miss the final major of the year when he first learned his wife, Michelle, was pregnant with twins. And even being in 11th place in the Ryder Cup standings wasn't enough to change his mind.
He has played on three Ryder Cup teams, the last one at The Country Club in 1999 when the United States rallied from a 10-6 deficit to beat Europe.
"Obviously, there a lot riding on it with the Ryder Cup stuff," Maggert said. "I guess the easiest way to explain it is that I've played three times, and the way we ended up in Boston was such a great experience. I'd love to play again. If I was a captain's choice, I'd definitely be excited.
"I just want to be at home with Michelle and the kids."
Maggert has not won since the inaugural Accenture Match Play Championship at La Costa in 1999, although his game has always been a good fit for the majors. He was leading the Masters after 54 holes last year until a shot from the fairway bunker on No. 3 caught the lip and bounced into his chest, a two-stroke penalty.
He twice finished third at the PGA Championship to make the Ryder Cup team.
Maggert got into contention for this year's team by finishing third at the U.S. Open, but he knew then time was running out for him to gather more points. He failed to qualify for The Open Championship, the missed the cut two weeks ago at the Buick Open.
"Really, the only reason I went to Michigan was to see if I could get points," he said. "It's been hard to get focused on playing, knowing we're close with the babies."
Doctors said Monday his wife was showing signs of being closer to the delivery.
"I like the PGA Championship. It's one of my favorite majors," Maggert said. "But I've got another 10 years of this. I've been lucky to play on a few Ryder Cup teams, and I'd like to play on a few more."
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